Masai: The Rain Warriors

The West used to call Africa the "Dark Continent" and in some ways thedescription still holds because the attitudes about Africa have not changed. Most movies depict the earlier African natives as uncivilized savages or hotbeds of chaos, disease, and war. This film is a beautiful set piece that restores to the African people the dignity which they deserve.Situated in Kenya, the Masai land is suffering from drought and famine...so the wise elders understand that the land can be cured if the Great Lion is conquered. Should that happen, the rains will arrive and bring life back to the region. So a group of teenage warriors are chosen by the village to undergo a life or death quest to find and kill the lion.What makes the film so moving is that the Masai people and customs are shown exactly as they are...the young men otherwise are neither stick heroes or villains, but a group that fights and agrees among each other as they attempt to fulfill their quest and save their village. Filmed beautifully in color, it is epic in scope.Everyone I have shown this film has thoroughly enjoyed it...so search it out and learn about a culture that rarely is portrayed as it actually is.

Fast shipping, and good quality product. The film was fair by African standards and very touching.

My wife and I are going to Kenya and will be staying with the Masai. This film was recommended by our trip organizer and it hit the mark. I think I got a better idea as to the world the Masai live in, some of their traditions and their humanity.

I won't reveal the story in its entirety, but I will say that the overall theme is about the journey of facing the lion, which is an aspect of Maasai culture in East Africa. It is philosophically about entering manhood, learning responsibility, and working with others; And though the story makes it clear that things don't turn out perfect, the Masai sensibility pays little mind to that and focuses on the well being of the community, which is what it is all about. Face the lion and enrich your community.However, be aware that this is not an African made movie, but a European movie made about Africans. As a result, the film's characters and culture lack the sort of intelligence and depth that would have been given to a movie about a European culture. The sophistication of Maasai culture is all but absent from the film; one would imagine it does not exist. The Maasai are seen as noble but in a "primal" way. We get a sense of the magic but not the science. Anyone African who has experienced African culture (not read about it are "studied" it as a non-Black) knows that Africans do not separate science from spirituality. The Maasai are direct descendents of the Ancient Egyptians. Until the Maasai get to speak for themselves in film (not as actors or even writers, but as full-fledged producers)then we will not have the true story of these larger than life people of the East African savanna.

I'm using this film in a class I teach, Cultural Anthropology. The film really makes the worldview of the Maasai come alive for students, especially the emphasis on bravery and the unity of the warriors. It's a sweet, family-fare fable that illustrates the Maasai culture. However, except for the bond between the warriors the film does not touch upon any aspect of Maasai social organization (marriage, age grades, subsistence or economy). Also, the portrayal of the ritual specialist is not flattering, especially because the subtitling uses the term "witch doctor." IF showing it to a class, skip the part where the two brothers are lost. Skip directly from the aftermath of the battle with the Turkana warriors to the battle with Vitchua the Lion. Otherwise the film moves too slowly for students.

One of the best films I've seen in years. It is, in some ways, an African "Saving Private Ryan," except the message is that every generation has greatness within it. A fine tribute to the "warrior spirit," particularly the values of courage, selflessness, and sacrifice.

Shows the lifes the Masai live and really brings you into their world. Its so sad to see their culture fading away

Amazing photography and certainly made one feel like he had visited the savanna. One disappointment was the fact that it wasn't in English, so I had to read the entire movie to my elementary students.